Boy Scout Law governs the conduct of millions of upstanding young men around the world. It’s basically a condensed version of the longer Boy Scout Code of Ethics, which offers specific guidelines for Boy Scouts’ dress and behavior. Despite its brevity — it’s literally just a series of adjectives separated by commas — Boy Scout Law is a highly respected document for aspiring young gentlemen.

And it might as well have been written by an off-road enthusiast.

Seriously. Those “crazy” people on bikes and four-wheelers.

We’ve argued previously that motocross riders aren’t actually crazy or extreme, but that’s almost beside the point. When it comes to living by one’s better angels, upstanding off-road adherents like David DelCollo have plenty in common with Boy Scouts everywhere. Here’s how each of the tenets of Boy Scout Law apply to off-roading — and how you, too, can strive to be a better person on the track and trail.

Trustworthy: Well, this one’s no surprise. Safety demands that off-roaders must be trusted to do things the right way, at the right time, all the time — and they need to trust their fellow enthusiasts to do the same.

Loyal: Off-roaders are loyal to a fault: to their motorcycle brands, their favorite riders and their preferred courses, among much else.

Helpful: In a sport that’s not without its share of danger, off-roading enthusiasts have to be helpful. If you don’t help a fellow rider in a pinch, why should he turn around and help you?

Friendly: Off-roading is a social sport, even if some adherents are a bit rough around the edges. True enthusiasts are quick with a smile and even quicker with a grin.

Courteous: Ever heard of “share the road”? Well, out here it’s “share the trail.” And that’s no platitude.

Kind: Off-roaders are always quick to help out novice riders with useful pointers or friendly warnings. What goes around comes around.

Obedient: Safety regulations and posted signs. ‘Nuff said. What do you think off-roaders are, animals?

Cheerful: What’s more cheering than revving your engine past a crowd of appreciative onlookers (or, you know, on a deserted forest track)? It’s hard not to break into a smile out there.

Thrifty: Off-roading isn’t the cheapest hobby in the world. No matter your station in life, you need to be thrifty to make it pay.

Brave: If the idea of hopping on a four-wheeler or motorbike and gunning it into the woods doesn’t at least give you pause, you might want to rethink your priorities. Of course, the bravery on display at off-road facilities from coast to coast demonstrates that such hesitation is entirely surmountable.

Clean: Not so sure about this one, actually. If you’re serious about off-roading, you’d better be prepared to get dirty. Real dirty. In fact, some off-roaders would argue that the sport’s “cheerful” factor is directly proportional to the “dirty” factor (or inversely proportional to the “clean” factor, as it were).

Reverent: Off-roading is a privilege, not a right. Done properly, it can be a transcendent experience that elevates riders above the ordinary and provides new perspective on the natural world. Maybe that’s why off-roaders are a reverent bunch.

Which Scout value best describes your off-roading philosophy?

Pennsylvania is rightly known as the birthplace of American democracy. What the millions of schoolchildren and adult tourists who pass through central Philadelphia each year don’t see, though, is the rugged, wild beauty of the state’s rural precincts.

From the topsy-turvy Allegheny Plateau in the west to the rolling bottomlands in the southeast and the remote Pocono Mountains in the northeast, Pennsylvania has no shortage of interesting and unique topography. What better way to experience Pennsylvania’s literal ups and downs than on the back of a bike or ATV?

If you’re looking to get out into Pennsylvania’s fields or woods, kick up some mud and feel the breeze in your hair, check out these five awesome Pennsylvania motocross tracks.

1. Breezewood Proving Grounds – Clearville, PA

Nestled in the heart of the Allegheny Plateau, near the quaint town of Bedford, Breezewood Proving Grounds is a rugged ATV paradise with more than four miles of track and plenty to excite riders of any skill level. The heavily-wooded courses offer stunning vistas of the surrounding landscape, not to mention fixed obstacles sure to get the pulse pounding. You may also switch to the indoor pit track for a change of pace.

2. Rausch Creek MX and ATV Park – Tremont, PA

Rausch Creek is conveniently located along Interstate 81 near the city of Pottsville. It’s a haven for bikers of all skill levels. With great views of the Allegheny Front and trails that hold up well in virtually any weather, Rausch Creek is a great place to escape the city for a day (or longer!)

3. Evansville MX Park – Berwick, PA

Evansville MX Park has motocross and supercross amenities, plus miles of wooded trails suitable for all skill levels. Visit during the spring for a true “tough mudder” experience, or come back in fall for unbelievable foliage views. Once you’ve had your fill of the trails, head into the pretty, little town of Berwick for a bite to eat.

4. Slippery Rock Dunes – Slippery Rock, PA

Slippery Rock Dunes has a state-of-the-art motocross course and plenty of wooded trails to stretch your bike to its limits. With onsite campgrounds and modern restroom/shower facilities, you’ll be tempted to post up here for way longer than advisable. Also of note is the ever-popular kids’ track that’s renowned for its gentle grades and ever-educational obstacle course. Once you’re done biking for the day, drop a line into the property’s river and see if you can’t catch yourself some dinner out under the stars.

5. Doublin Gap MX – Shippensburg, PA

Double down on Doublin Gap, where it’s all motocross all the time. This is one of Pennsylvania’s premier racing tracks. If you have any interest in learning how the pros get it done, Doublin Gap is well worth the drive. The track’s staff grooms nearly year-round, so you’re highly unlikely to run into trouble here.

What’s your favorite Pennsylvania motocross track?

To the uninitiated, motocross is a dangerous sport best left to the daredevils of the world. The X-Games are fun to watch… from a distance.

This position is understandable, prudent, even. But it might not accurately capture motocross’ risk-reward ratio. As it turns out, motocross isn’t nearly as dangerous or extreme as the man or woman on the street thinks. Many — perhaps most — motocross riders aren’t tattooed “lifers” with little to live for and everything to prove. Most are regular Joes with good day jobs and happy lives. Just ask David DelCollo, a Philadelphia-area lawyer who hits the track every chance he gets.

“When you look at me, your first impression probably isn’t ‘biker dude,’” says DelCollo. “I certainly don’t fit the typical profile. But that doesn’t mean I can’t enjoy the sport as much as anyone else.”

DelCollo is your classic motocross weekend warrior. He’s made it something of a mission to educate the general public about the joys — and manageable dangers — of the sport he loves. Here’s what he’s learned over the course of his motocross career.

The Sport Is Very Hierarchical

“When I first started biking, I was surprised by motocross’ fairly strict hierarchy,” says DelCollo.

He doesn’t mean that there’s some sort of complex social structure at work in the world of motocross. Rather, rider skill is the determining factor of one’s place in the “moto hierarchy.” Novice riders are at the bottom, weekend warriors like DelCollo are in the middle, and folks who literally ride for a living are at the top. (Of course, there are gradients, but these are the broad-brush lines of distinction.)

It’s very much frowned upon for novice riders to rub shoulders with expert riders outside of controlled settings in which the novices know their place. If that sounds harsh, it’s meant to be; separating novices and experts ensures the safety of both. During racing events, less experienced riders serve as spectators while the big boys and girls are on the track. Then they swap roles when it’s their turn to dust up.

Age Is a Big Deal

Bikes come in all shapes and sizes. Just as toddlers aren’t allowed to ride scary roller coasters and junior high school students aren’t allowed to drive street-legal cars unsupervised, kids aren’t welcome on larger, higher-powered bikes. Smaller, lower-powered bikes are the motorized equivalent of training wheels for youngsters who want to get into motocross but don’t have the physical strength or coordination to safely handle full-sized bikes. As time goes on, aspiring riders “graduate” to bigger bikes.

“Parents are very cognizant of their kids’ limits,” says DelCollo. “I rarely, if ever, see a child on an inappropriately large bike. That’s reassuring for everyone.”

Safety Equipment Is Affordable and Readily Available

Unlike some sports that require highly-specialized safety equipment, motocross is less picky — and its safety equipment less costly. Regardless of their budget, riders can suit up head to toe with the proper safety equipment without breaking the bank. Many retailers offer deep discounts on safety equipment, using helmets and pads as loss leaders to sell higher-margin items.

Tracks Take Safety Seriously

Well-run motocross tracks take a deadly serious approach to rider safety. Spectators are expected to serve as sentinels, identifying potentially unsafe situations (like a rider down in a dip) before other riders become aware. Like car racing, motocross has a host of safety regulations and “track rules” designed to keep riders on the straight and narrow, quite literally.

“I’m very impressed with the professionalism and care exercised by track staff and fellow riders, at least at the facilities I frequent,” says DelCollo.

“As a lawyer, I’m always on the lookout for things like that,” he adds, laughing.

Safety First, Second and Third

Motocross might not be as dangerous as laypeople believe, but that doesn’t mean it’s completely risk-free. It’s impossible to completely discount the risks associated with any sport that involves rough terrain, high speeds and heavy equipment. However, proper safety protocols and common sense can mitigate whatever risks do exist.

DelCollo is a stickler for safety; you’ll never see him out on the track without a helmet and full padding. For the uninitiated, he recommends a few simple safety tips:

• Make sure your safety equipment fits snugly and wears securely on the track.
• Inspect the track prior to riding.
• Inspect your bike before riding.
• Perform regular bike maintenance, even if everything appears to be in good working order.
• Keep your core in shape for better bike control.

Ready to ride? See you out on the trail or track!

For the unfamiliar, the world of two-wheel racing is a bit perplexing. Do people really willingly suit up, hop on a bike or ATV and hit a muddy trail with reckless abandon?

Except for the reckless part, yes, and it’s not just the usual adrenaline junkie suspects you’ll find out on the track. There are plenty of working stiffs who love nothing more than spending their free time with the wind in their hair and the mud at their back. Philadelphia attorney David DelCollo is one such working stiff, and he has plenty of friends and colleagues to ride with on any given Saturday.

“I won’t deny that some of my more traditional colleagues find my love for motorcycles and off-road racing odd,” says DelCollo, “but they’re far outnumbered by the folks who either passively support my hobby or actively embrace it.”

“I know more than a few people who are much more enthusiastic about off-roading than I am,” he adds. “And these are people with good jobs, folks you wouldn’t look at twice at the grocery store or soccer game.”

If you’re intrigued by the world of off-road motorsports, you’re not alone. Millions of people watch racing competitions; in fact, the segment is rapidly approaching the popularity of on-road racing spectacles like NASCAR and IndyCar.

DelCollo makes it his mission to educate motorsport novices about the thrills and risks of his passion. For those thinking of making a go in the off-road racing realm, here’s his condensed list of the what, how, why and where.

Off-Road Riding: Racing, Adventure or Both?

ATV Rider helpfully divides its ATV-related content into two core verticals: racing and adventure. But riders don’t have to stick to one or the other.

“Many would argue that racing is an adventure,” quips DelCollo. “For many ATV and motocross riders, racing is something that can be done in between pleasure rides.”

There are plenty of off-road racing events scattered about the country. If you’re committed to doing some traveling, you can easily find an appealing race every month of the year.

Some events are certifiably “big time.” Take the GNCC Racing Series, arguably America’s premier off-road ATV racing event. GNCC events occur across the country on a regular basis. It’s a great idea to get psyched up (and initiated) for racing by spectating at a few before taking the plunge and trying out yourself.

“Most people aren’t temperamentally suited for off-road racing, and that’s totally fine,” says DelCollo. “It’s like professional football. You’re probably not built to be a lineman or wide receiver, but someone else is — and they’re going to entertain you in the safety of your own home.”

Along for the Ride, at Your Own Pace

If you’re into the Zen side of ATV and off-road riding, that’s fine too. Check your local or state-level ATV association for information about trails in your area. Keep in mind that wide-track trails aren’t always open to ATVs and other off-road vehicles, so pay special attention to trails designated for motorsports. “Silent sports” trails, by contrast, are reserved for non-motorized activities: walking, mountain biking, Nordic skiing.

That being said, you’re likely to find plenty of ATV access in your backyard, metaphorically speaking. “I guarantee there’s an ATV-friendly trail within an hour’s drive of everyone reading this,” says DelCollo. “The sport is only gaining in popularity as riders and trail managers realize that it’s safer and less harmful for the environment than previously understood.”

DelCollo recommends taking stock of the trail resources and conditions in your area — and taking a hard look at how they might affect your safety, given your equipment. For instance, not all ATVs perform well in snowy or icy conditions, while others actually excel on slippery trails. Remember, there’s a big difference between ATVs and UTVs (utility task vehicles). Each has its own strengths and weaknesses on the trail.

Find Your Pack

Whether you’re biking or riding utility vehicles off-road, DelCollo recommends hooking up with a group of local enthusiasts. “It’s nice to have a network of reliable riders who are up for hitting the trail when you are,” he says. “Riding alone is certainly relaxing and restorative, but it’s not quite as exciting or fulfilling in many cases.”

“Plus, riding alone presents some safety risks for less experienced riders,” he adds.

Virtually every major metro area has more than one ATV and dirt bike enthusiast group. Some regions are positively thick with them, particularly in places with great off-road networks. A quick Google search or chat with a fellow enthusiast is sure to point you in the right direction.

Ready to Suit Up?

Off-road racing isn’t exactly pickup basketball — you don’t just walk onto the track one day and decide to make racing your new hobby. DelCollo certainly started slow; he’s the first to admit he didn’t feel comfortable on a bike until the fourth or fifth time he hit the track. For one thing, he wasn’t sure whether motocross and other off-road sports were really as safe as their proponents insisted.

There’s also no shame in admitting that off-roading isn’t right for you. If you’re terrified by the thought of racing up and down a rugged, rutted track at high speed, or find that you become terrified after trying it for the first time, maybe a different hobby is in order. Then again, you won’t know for sure until you try.